US Open 2018: Marin Čilić Charges into the Quarterfinals
- by croatiaweek
- in Sport
Croatia’s Marin Čilić has reached the quarterfinals of the US Open after defeating No. 10 seed David Goffin from Belgium in straight sets on Monday.
The No.7 seed, coming off a 5-set thriller which finished after 2 am on Sunday morning, was impressive and needed two hours and twenty-five minutes to beat Goffin in their fourth-round encounter 7-6, 6-2, 6-4.
The 29-year-old former US Open champion got off to the worst possible start on Louis Armstrong stadium when he was broken in the opening game by Goffin.
Ćilić broke back in the 10th game of the first set to level at 5-5 as the set headed into a tie-breaker which the Croatian could take 8-6.
Back in business:@cilic_marin powers his way back on serve deep into the 1st set against Goffin…#USOpen pic.twitter.com/WDQbRf4Yzt
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 3, 2018
Čilić broke early in the second set to jump to a 3-1 lead then got the double break in the seventh game to run away with the set 6-2 as Goffin makes a backhand unforced error on set point.
Čilić was starting to find his grove now, hitting some impressive winners and finding his range with his serve and in the fifth game of the third set he would create two break point opportunities. An unforced error by Goffin at 30-40 handed the Croatian the break and the lead 3-2.
Sights set for the finish line.@cilic_marin leads Goffin by two sets and a break, looking to seal his spot in the QF…#USOpen pic.twitter.com/LwQPj8se3Y
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 3, 2018
Čilić would make sure there would be no miraculous comeback by the Belgian and would serve out the set, despite a double-fault on his second match-point and giving Goffin two break points, to the match and book himself a place in the last 8.
Čilić will meet No.21 seed Kei Nishikori, who he beat in the 2014 US Open final, in the quarterfinal.